Tips to Make Moving Easier on Furry Family Members

Moving can be a stressful experience for everyone, including your pets. Moving just next door or across the country can be stressful for cats and dogs alike. It is a good idea to be prepared for your furry loved ones to have some behavioral changes when you move.

Here are some ways to help make this life-altering transition easier on the pets in your household.

Ask Yourself if the New Home is Pet-Friendly

When evaluating a new home for your family and lifestyle it is good to keep your pets in mind when looking at homes.

For Dogs:

Is there plenty of outdoor space for your dog to roam outside for a bathroom and play? Fenced-in yards are great features, especially when moving a dog to a new environment where they could more easily run off and get lost.

Is the neighborhood walkable to take Fido for a daily walk? Take notice of the safety conditions for both you and your pet to walk along the streets.

If you have an older dog and the home has a significant amount of stairs and hard surface floors, this can make it difficult on your dog to get around the home.

For Cats:

Are there small nooks and areas that kitty can climb into and get “stuck” in or lost? Make sure vents are closed off and it is easy to close off access to the utility and storage areas.

Is there a good place where you can keep a litter box or will it need to be in an area that is fairly open to the rest of the home?

Are there dangling wires anywhere that need fixing before your cat moves in and is tempted to use them as toys?

Setting Up Your Home for Your Pets

A new home is a fresh start for your pets as well. Pets do well in environments with routine and regularity. These things are going to be thrown off and require a bit of patience and training for your pet(s). Make sure your pet has their favorite things in an easy to find the area and try to keep their daily routines as close to what they were in the old home as possible. Also, keep the new home tidy to help deter stressed behaviors. Keep the garbage can lids closed as well as the toilet bowl. Keep fragile items out of the reach of cats. Provide plenty of healthy activities for pets like a scratching post and plenty of toys.

Preparing Pets Before Your Move

Get boxes out early to get pets used to them. Pets can sense change and become stressed out. Bringing out the boxes early helps you and them to have a calmer transition. If your pet sniffs the boxes you can give them a treat so they associate the boxes with something good.

You can also acclimate your pets to spending time or more time in their crate to prepare for the move. This will help to make travel a positive experience for them. it is a good idea to take them on a walk in the new neighborhood to get them used to it before moving there.

Making your move as comfortable for your pets as possible will help to make your move less stressful for them and you.

For more information on moving to the Forgotten Coast or homes for sale in Cape San Blas and surrounding areas please contact us any time.